Tag: Chris Janson

Pre Show: We drove to DTE and I had VIP for Maren, so we went and picked up my pass, and stopped by the radio stations, where we signed up to try and win signed Sam Hunt guitar (because thats obviously likely, haha)… then went and pulled up some ground on the hill for a while. Then I went to go line up for my meet and greet with Maren Morris. Next thing I know I’m backstage, down a flight of stairs talking to a girl I went to college with and my Mom appears. I’m sitting here thinking, oh my goodness, did my mother just sneak into MM’s meet and greet? Is something wrong? What the heck is happening?… My Mom won the signed Sam Hunt guitar, a Maren meet and greet and two passes for us to meet Ryan Follese, who I had been tweeting all week hoping to meet. So we got to meet Maren, I got my laminate signed, and Momma got my CD signed, and we took pictures.

Ryan Follese: We then got back to the hill for Ryan’s set after MM’s meet and greet. His set was great including “Wilder” from his EP, along with “Float Your Boat”, “Put a Label On It”, and his next single “Lose a Little Sleep”. The Hot Chelle Rae front man, turned solo country artist, closed his set with a mashup of the band’s hit “Tonight Tonight” and the Fresh Prince of Bel Air theme song. Ryan’s set was great, then we were headed backstage to meet him, which was awesom. Such a sweetheart!

Chris Janson: Chris always puts on such a great show! His set consisted of “I Love This Life” (recorded by LoCash, wrote by him), “Truck Yeah” (recorded by Tim McGraw, wrote by him), along with “Holding Her”, “Fix a Drink”, “Buy Me a Boat” and others. Lots of energy, dancing and harmonica playing, and an incredible show.

Maren Morris: OH. MY. GOODNESS. The girl sounds so beautiful live! She sang a bunch of hits from her Hero record, including “Sugar”, “Rich”, “Second Wind”, “80’s Mercedes”, and “My Church” and her latest single “I Could Use a Love Song” amongst others. Maren started “I Could Use a Love Song” just her and her guitar. So incredible. So beautiful.

Sam Hunt: I’d seen Sam twice before this, and this time it was next level. He opened with “Leave the Night On” followed by “House Party”, along with bunch of hits including “Make You Miss Me”, “Break Up In a Small Town”, “Body Like A Backroad”, “Speakers” and “Saturday Night” amongst others. He also sang a cover of Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock the Juke Box”, and Travis Tritt’s “Great Day to Be Alive”. Maren, Ryan and Chris also joined Sam onstage for a cover of Outkast’s “Hey Ya!”. The show was incredible, and Sam had gotten so much better since I seen him back in 2015 and 2016.

The 15 in a 30 Tour was incredible. Be sure to check it out if it hits a city near you!

My parents and I headed to Nashville for vacation in early May. When I was planning for the trip I was so excited to find out the Peach Picker’s Annual Georgia on my Mind show was happening at the Ryman Auditorium. Not only was I excited because we were going to Nashville and it was going to be a great show… but it was my first show at the Mother Church. This benefit is put on by the Peach Pickers (the trio of Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, who are responsible for a lot of the music you hear on country radio right now… – think “Honey Bee” and “Huntin’, Fishin’, and Lovin’ Everyday”), and benefits Georgia Music Preservation.

Some of the country acts announced prior to the show were Michael Ray, Lauren Alaina, Chris Janson and Kip Moore. I found out the morning of the show that Thomas Rhett was added to the lineup and was basically the happiest human. Also added was Jon Pardi and Billy Currington.

The show was absolutely incredible. Some of my favorite parts: Michael Ray and Lauren Alaina sang there respectable number ones with “Think a Little Less” and “Road Less Traveled”. Cole Taylor stunned with a new song he wrote. Chris Janson did a mashup of “Buy Me a Boat” and his new single “Fix a Drink”, and Kip Moore did a beautiful acoustic version of “That Was Us”. The Peach Pickers were also wonderful, singing songs recorded by artists such as Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and Jake Owen. Rhett Akins sang That Ain’t My Truck and the whole Ryman Auditorium was on there feet. However, my favorite part of the night, of course, was Thomas Rhett. TR’s sang “Star of the Show”, then said he was just “this much tired” after being a father to he and Lauren’s 18 month old daughter who had arrived home just five days earlier (sweet Willa G is the most adorable thing, keep sharing those sweet Insta stories, TR!). He thanked his Dad for allowing him to get out of the house for a few hours with a laugh, then dedicated his second song to the women who was watching his child as he said, then played “Die a Happy Man”. (Other acts included T Graham Brown, Driving and Crying, and Ottis Redding III, amongst others).

The show was incredible, and we were fortunate to meet some wonderful and kind artists both before and after the show. (My meet and greet picture from TR’s Hometeam tour came out a blurry mess, so if I was the happiest girl when he was gunna be at the show, you can only imagine how happy I was to get a clear picture and to meet him again). The BEST night! Check out some photos below!

Some people get excited for the Super Bowl once a year… I get excited for country awards shows a few times a year. Today, we’re breaking down who I think will take home the ACM Awards on Monday, and who I would love to see walk away with them. I’ve noted all the nominees, along with my choice and my prediction. I’ve also still included the new vocalists categories, even though the winners have already been announced, to recognize these wonderful new talents who were nominated (and to tell ya who I wanted). Tell us who you want to see in the comments or on our social media pages. We’d love to hear from you! -Jessica

Songwriter of the Year Nominees:

(For the convenience of our readers who may not be familiar with the names of these amazing songwriters I’ve included some of there songs that have been recent singles for artists).

Ashley Gorley (“Middle of a Memory”, “You Should Be Here”, “Dirt on my Boots”, “Black”, etc.)

Note: I had a HARD time with this category. Honestly, FGL and Maren’s albums are STAPLES in my car. I love them both. I also had a hard time choosing who I thought would win. My gut said to go with Maren, but I also think Miranda’s new record is a strong contender.

(But seriously can we talk about how all four of these women deserve this award? They’re KILLER, but if I HAVE to chose I guess its MM.)

Vocal Group of the Year:

Eli Young Band

Lady Antebellum

Little Big Town *My Prediction

Old Dominion *My Choice

Rascal Flatts

Female Vocalist of the Year:

Carrie Underwood

Kacey Musgraves

Kelsea Ballerini *My Choice (Duh.)

Maren Morris

Miranda Lambert *My Prediction

Male Vocalist of the Year:

Chris Stapleton *My Prediction

Dierks Bentley

Jason Aldean

Keith Urban

Thomas Rhett *My Choice

Entertainer of the Year:

Carrie Underwood

Florida Georgia Line *My Choice

Jason Aldean

Keith Urban

Luke Bryan *My Prediction

(Couple things… 1. I’m not taking my prediction to the bank, I’m not really sure. 2. I will take my choice to the bank. I’ve seen everyone in this category at least twice. I think FGL puts on the best show out of them all. 3. WHERE THE HELL IS THOMAS RHETT? Why isn’t he nominated?)

I cannot wait for the ACM Awards! The red carpet looks I’m most excited about: Kelsea Ballerini, Thomas Rhett and Lauren Akins (and Baby Akins), and of course FGL and there ladies. Be sure to tune in Sunday at 8/7C!